China on Thursday appointed a senior diplomat as special representative on African affairs with initial focus on Darfur issue.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said Liu Guijin, former ambassador to Zimbabwe and South Africa, and former head of the Foreign Ministry's Department of African Affairs, had been appointed to the position.

"Since the situation in Darfur has attracted world attention, the special representative will focus on the Darfur issue in the initial period," Jiang told a regular news conference.

This is the first time China has set up such a position. Liu is to help enhance China-Africa relations and close contacts with African countries and organizations, Jiang said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2007)